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Mark Mabasa performs during a recent concert. John Saavedra, ABS-CBN News

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Mark Mabasa recalls unforgettable moments performing for David Foster

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773647638493Mark Mabasa Photo 1 .jpeg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="633"/>Singer Mark Mabasa performs during a recent concert. John Saavedra, ABS-CBN News</div>Singer Mark Mabasa says passion, persistence and the courage to seize the right moment have helped shape his journey in music.From singing in a band to unexpectedly performing on stage during a concert by Grammy-winning producer David Foster, Mabasa said opportunities often come when artists are willing to step forward and take a chance.In a one-on-one interview with ABS-CBN News, Mabasa reflected on his early beginnings, career turning points, and the experiences that continue to inspire him as a performer.For Mabasa, the love for music began long before television appearances or major concert stages.“Actually, I have a video of myself when I was three years old. It was during a birthday party. Usually when you’re that age, you’re just playing with other kids. But in the video, the whole time I was singing. I wasn’t interested in anything else I just wanted to sing.” he said.Long before competing on national television, Mabasa was already performing regularly. “Before &#x27;The X Factor,&#x27; I was in a band. I formed a band because I really wanted to sing. Kumakanta talaga ako. Then I had the chance to join a contest.”His life eventually changed when talent scouts from ABS-CBN discovered him while performing live.“Yes, I think so. I was performing regularly. Then there was this thing they call ‘research.’ ABS-CBN staff would go to bars and different places to look for singers who might audition. They saw me perform and encouraged me to audition.”“So, I auditioned, and that’s how my journey began.”<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773647661711Mark Mabasa Photo 3.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Mabasa performs on stage. John Saavedra, ABS-CBN News</div><div>Turning point </div>Mabasa later gained wider recognition after joining the international singing competition &quot;The X Factor,&quot; which helped introduce his voice to a broader audience and opened more opportunities for him as a performer.“&#x27;The X Factor&#x27; opened a lot of doors for me. After that, I met my former manager who really helped build my career. I’m very thankful for that. He was also the former manager of Charice now Jake Zyrus, so we shared the same management before.”The exposure from the competition helped Mabasa continue building his career and performing for larger audiences.<div>Dream moment</div>One of the most unforgettable moments of Mabasa’s career happened during a concert in Singapore by Foster.Mabasa attended the show simply as a fan. But the night soon turned into an opportunity he never expected.During the show, David Foster called someone from the audience to sing,” he recalled. “So, I raised my hand. I told myself; this is it this is my dream. If you want something, you have to market yourself and let the world know that you’re here.”With around 4,000 people in the audience, Foster challenged Mabasa before allowing him to step onto the stage.“When he saw me, he said, ‘Are you sure you can sing?’ The crowd was mostly foreigners Singaporeans and there were about 4,000 people there. He asked what song I wanted to sing. I told him, ‘I’ll sing your song.’ People started cheering,” he narrated.“He said, ‘Okay, I won’t let you come up on stage yet. If your first verse is good, then you can come up.’ So, I sang. First line pa lang, the crowd started screaming. He stopped and said, ‘Okay, come out.&#x27;“I ran to the stage, sobrang kaba ko. After the verse and chorus he told me, ‘Sing another verse… go for the big note.’ But the song didn’t really have a big note, so I improvised one. When I hit that note, the crowd went wild.”After the show, Mabasa was invited backstage where he met well known artists including Babyface and Chaka Khan.“They told me, ‘You’re good.’ Even if it was just a simple compliment, for me it meant the world. It inspired me to keep pushing my career.”The moment later gained attention online. “It went on the news. People started asking, ‘Who is this guy?’ It was really overwhelming.”<div>Working with music icons</div>Mabasa recently performed alongside the Philippines’ “Asia’s Nightingale,” Lani Misalucha. “That was an amazing experience.”Looking ahead, Mabasa said there are still artists he hopes to collaborate with. “Of course, Regine Velasquez, that’s a big dream. Tito Martin Nievera as well, although I’ve already worked with him before. Internationally? Charlie Puth!”For Mabasa, continuing to perform and connect with audiences remains one of his biggest goals. “I want to keep making my mark because I’m Mark. I want to have staying power as an artist. I want to still be performing years from now, even when I’m older, and people would still say, ‘That’s Mark Mabasa.’”He also shared advice for aspiring singers pursuing their dreams.“Keep singing. Don’t stop dreaming. And do something about your dream. Like what they say in the movies seize your moment. When that moment comes, grab it. Be consistent and pour your heart into every song you sing,” he said.Reflecting on his journey, Mabasa said he would tell his younger self, the three-year-old boy who simply loved to sing, to keep believing. “I would say: Just wait. One day, you’ll make it.”For Mabasa, recognition from audiences remains one of the most meaningful rewards of being an artist.“When people recognize what you do and feel your music that means everything to me,” he said.“As an artist, what really means a lot to us is to be appreciated. Iba kasi when people truly appreciate what you do. Because with every performance, you pour your heart, your energy, and all the hard work that you’ve put into your craft. Everything is there.“So, when people appreciate that, it really hits different. Maybe that’s why being recognized touches my heart so much.”Years after that childhood video of a three-year-old boy singing at a birthday party, Mabasa continues to pursue the same passion that first inspired him to sing.The stages may now be bigger and the audiences larger, but the reason remains the same.For Mabasa, every performance is still about sharing his heart through music and reminding others that dreams can begin with something as simple as a child who refuses to stop singing.

Singer Mark Mabasa says passion, persistence and the courage to seize the right moment have helped shape his journey in music.

Singer Mark Mabasa says passion, persistence and the courage to seize the right moment have helped shape his journey in music.

Mark Mabasa recalls unforgettable moments performing for David Foster

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Mark Mabasa recalls unforgettable moments performing for David Foster

ABS-CBN News,

John Saavedra

Published Mar 16, 2026 04:20 PM PHT

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Mark Mabasa

David Foster

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